Speaker to discuss school bullying

News-Times, The (Danbury, CT)

Published 7:00 pm, Tuesday, March 15, 2005

Barker
, a volunteer with Operation Respect CT, will speak to parents and other community members Thursday at
Whisconier Middle School
about friendships, cliques and bullying.
She wants parents to walk away with ideas on how to help their children if they are being bullied, witness bullying or have been identified as a bully.
"We want to teach parents how to help their child fit in - not conform - and recognize the behavior of a child having trouble at school," said Barker, who will speak from 7 to 8:30 p.m.
Operation Respect CT is based in Rocky Hill. Among other things, it co-sponsors a program called "Don't Laugh At Me," which encourages students to respect each other.
Students at Huckleberry Hill Elementary School and Whisconier Middle School have received "Don't Laugh At Me" training. They are taught to recognize intolerance, respect others' feelings and cultivate a "climate of respect."
Deane

Renda
, a Whisconier Middle School assistant principal, said the students meet twice a month with their teachers to discuss aspects of the program.
"We know we're not going to get every kid to change, but if we can get to a small group of kids, that will make a big difference," Renda said. Part of the message the kids get is to come forward in groups if they see bullying, but are too afraid to report it by themselves.
Renda said he doesn't think Whisconier has any more bullying problems than other middle schools. Though this is the first year the middle school has been involved with "Don't Laugh At Me," he said past programs have helped students deal with bullying.
"We want to make sure it's something we take a stance on," Renda said.

Susan Stoeppel
, first vice president of the
Huckleberry Hill Elementary School PTO
and co-facilitator for the districtwide PTO, said parents should attend Thursday's session because they need to know what their kids are learning and talking about.
"Schools in general are putting programs like this into place because it's a skill that needs to be taught," Stoeppel said. "Respect, honesty and no bullying are some of the core values."